WO2021141524A1

WO2021141524A1 - Warning messages delivery for multiple-usim user equipment in private networks

Info

Publication number: WO2021141524A1
Application number: PCT/SE2020/051261
Authority: WO
Inventors: Qian Chen; Alessio Terzani; Christofer Lindheimer; Mattias BERGSTRÖM; Paul Schliwa-Bertling
Original assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget Lm Ericsson (Publ)
Priority date: 2020-01-06
Filing date: 2020-12-23
Publication date: 2021-07-15

Abstract

A wireless device determines (310) to connect to a first wireless communication network and, responsive to said determining, sends (320), to a node in a second wireless communication network, an indication of whether messages of at least a first type are to be sent to the wireless device by the second wireless communication network via the first wireless communication network. In this manner, the wireless device improves delivery of messages, such as emergency warning messages, to the wireless device.

Description

WARNING MESSAGES DELIVERY FOR MULTIPLE-USIM USER EQUIPMENT IN PRIVATE NETWORKS

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure present invention relates in general to wireless communication and in particular to forwarding of information between different networks, to reach a wireless device with the capability to connect to more than one network.

BACKGROUND

Members of the Third-Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) have begun a study for supporting more than one universal subscriber identification module (USIM) in a device, for standardization in Release 17 of the 3GPP specifications. A multi-SIM device can hold more than one set of USIM credentials, and in some cases may access more than one network at the same time. The USIM can be a physical SIM-card that a user can insert, or the USIM can also be a so-called eSIM, which comprises credentials and identity that are stored in a memory in a device.

A multi-SIM user equipment (UE) can thus access, for example, two different networks PLMN1 and PLMN2, using identity and credentials from USIM1 and USIM2 respectively. Depending on the UE type, however, there may be limitations regarding how much a UE can do "simultaneously" towards the two networks. For example, if a UE only has one transmitter (TX) processing unit / chain implemented, it would only be capable of transmitting to a single network at a time. Similarly, if a UE only had one receiver (Rx) processing unit /chain implemented, it would only be capable of receiving transmissions from a single network at a time.

SUMMARY

If a multi-SIM UE has only Rx and one Tx, it would be advantageous if a UE could be in one network at a certain time but still be reachable from the other network, e.g., for a delivery of a message to the UE. Different types of messages can be considered. For example, it is important that it would be possible for both networks to be able to reach the UE with paging messages, irrespective of whether it is only capable of being in one network at a time. Another type of message is information that comes from public warning systems (PWS), as described by requirements specified in 3GPP TS 22.268, v. 16.3.0 (June 2019).

The latter is a particularly important issue in private wireless networks, which may not support the delivery of PWS messages. A key issue is thus related to how a multi-SIM device, based on a single Rx/single Tx architecture, can receive ETWS/CMAS warning messages (or other types of messages) from one wireless communication network when connected to another, private, wireless communication network.

The solutions described herein are applicable when a multi-SIM UE, connected to a private wireless communication network, can be reached by another (e.g., public) wireless communication network by means of an indication which is send from the latter network to the UE via the private wireless communication network. For example, this may be achieved by the public wireless communication network sending a NAS NOTIFICATION message via a Non-3GPP Interworking Function (N3IWF) node in the public wireless network towards the UE, in the private wireless communication network.

According to some of the techniques described herein, as applied in the context of a 3GPP system:

• When the UE connects to (private) PLMN1, it performs a "mobility registration" and indicates to (public) PLMN2 whether UE wants to have PWS messages (e.g., ETWS/CMAS information) sent to the UE through the N3IWF and PLMN1.

• The UE tells the Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) in PLMN2 how it wants to receive the PWS messages: a. Being notified that PWS message is broadcasted in PLMN2 (Alt.1); b. Getting dedicated PWS warning information in NAS NOTIFICATION (Alt.2); c. Receiving no information at all.

It would, for example, make sense for a smartphone type of device that is connected to a private network, if the private network does not itself communicate any public warnings, to signal, to the public PLMN it is also registered to, to forward either a notification that other PLMN is broadcasting (a) or the message itself (b).

For other types of UEs, for example UEs that don't have a Man-Machine Interface (MMI) as sophisticated as that of a smartphone, configuring the system such that no notifications are sent from the public network (c) might make sense.

In another aspect of the presently disclosed techniques, an indication of support for PWS may be added to broadcast information. This allows UEs that are multi-SIM UEs to know whether the network they are registering to actually supports PWS.

In another aspect of the disclosed techniques, if both wireless communication networks support cell broadcast but might not necessarily broadcast the same information, multi-SIM UEs may, despite that the network monitored by the UE supports some broadcast information, still request broadcast notifications from other networks. Such situations may occur, for example, if a private network uses its broadcast services only for messages related to the private network, i.e., it is not a public warning. These broadcast services might be used to spread information on a company network, for example. If a UE is registered to such a network but is only following mobility procedures for the public networks radio access network (RAN), it would benefit from notifications being sent from the private network to the public network and on to the UE. Thus, the techniques described herein are not limited to messages forwarded from a public network to a private network, for delivery to the UE, but are more generally applicable.

An example method according to some of the techniques described herein is for improving delivery of messages to a wireless device, such as a UE operating in a 3GPP wireless system, and is performed by the wireless device. The method includes determining to connect to a first wireless communication network. Responsive to this determination, the wireless device sends, to a node in a second wireless communication network, an indication of whether messages of at least a first type are to be sent to the wireless device by the second wireless communication network via the first wireless communication network. In some embodiments, the first wireless communication network is a private wireless communication network and the second wireless communication network is a Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN). In some embodiments, the first type of message is public warning systems (PWS) messages.

Another example method for improving delivery of messages to a wireless device registered to a first wireless communication network may be performed, for example, in one or more nodes of the second wireless communication network discussed above, such as in an N3IWF function node. This example method comprises receiving a notification of a message being broadcast in the second wireless communication network or contents of a message being broadcast in the second wireless communication network. The method further comprises forwarding the notification or the contents to the wireless device, via the first wireless communication network. Again, the first wireless communication network may be a private wireless communication network, in some embodiments, while the second wireless communication network is a Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN). Likewise, the message may be a public warning system (PWS) message, in some embodiments.

Still another example method according to some of the techniques described herein is also a method in a wireless device, for improving delivery of messages to the wireless device. This example method comprises receiving, via the first wireless communication network, a notification of a message of a first type being broadcast in a second wireless communication network, and determining whether to take action to receive said message, responsive to said notification. In some embodiments, for example, the wireless device determines to take action to receive said message and then performs cell selection of a cell in the second wireless communication network and receives the message of the first type.

Further aspects of the present invention are directed to a network node, base station, wireless device, UE, computer program products or computer readable storage medium corresponding to the methods summarized above and functional implementations of the above-summarized apparatuses.

Of course, the present invention is not limited to the above features and advantages. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize additional features and advantages upon reading the following detailed description, and upon viewing the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Figure 1 illustrates an example delivery of a public warning system (PWS) message.

Figure 2 is a signaling flow diagram illustrating delivery of PWS message information from a public network to a wireless device connected to a private network, according to some embodiments of the presently disclosed techniques.

Figure 3 is a process flow diagram illustrating an example method in a wireless device, according to some embodiments.

Figure 4 is a process flow diagram illustrating an example method in one or more network nodes, according to some embodiments.

Figure 5 is a process flow diagram illustrating another example method in a wireless device, according to some embodiments.

Figure 6 is a block diagram illustrating an example wireless device, according to some embodiments.

Figure 7 is a block diagram illustrating an example network node, according to some embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which examples of embodiments of inventive concepts are shown. Inventive concepts may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of present inventive concepts to those skilled in the art. It should also be noted that these embodiments are not mutually exclusive. It should be assumed, unless the description or circumstances indicate otherwise, that components from one embodiment can be present/used in another embodiment. Likewise, unless it is clearly not possible, it should be assumed that any two or more embodiments described in this document may be combined with each other. The described embodiments are not limited to LTE or NR and can be adapted in other radio access technologies (RATs), such as in UTRA, LTE-Advanced, 5G, NX, NB-loT, Wi-Fi, BLUETOOTH technologies, or in any subsequent systems by which PWS messages are provided.

In this discussion, the term "private PLMN" is used. While combining the word "private" with "Public Land Mobile Network" may seem contradictory, this term should be understood as referring to a private wireless communication network that uses the same radio interface as a PLMN, such as an LTE or NR radio interface. Such a private wireless communication network may provide so-called untrusted 3GPP access, via a Non-3GPP Interworking Function (N3IWF) node, in some embodiments. The techniques described herein are applicable to such "private PLMNs," but are more generally applicable to private wireless communication networks that are able to exchange signaling with other wireless communication networks, e.g., PLMNs, whether through a N3IWF node or some other interworking node.

It should also be understood that when the term "UE" is used herein it may refer to a logical UE within a device. For example, it may be seen as a multi-SIM device comprising multiple UEs, i.e., one per SIM. However, in some formulations herein the term "UE" is referring to the whole physical apparatus, which may in its turn comprise several logical UEs.

In the fourth-generation wireless networks known as Long Term Evolution (LTE) networks, there is a feature for providing Public Warning System (PWS) notifications to UEs, for providing warning messages to users. For example, if there is an earthquake, the network can indicate this to the UEs by broadcasting PWS messages. This is expected to be available as well in New Radio (NR), the 5G wireless communication system currently under development by members of the 3GPP.

The PWS messages for the Earthquake and Tsunami Warning System (ETWS) are broadcast in SystemlnformationBlockTypelO (ETWS primary notification) or SystemlnformationBlockTypell (ETWS secondary notification), and PWS-messages for the Commercial Mobile Alert System (CMAS) are broadcast in SystemlnformationBlockTypel2. These system information block types are defined in the LTE Radio Resource Control (RRC) specification 3GPP TS 36.331, v. 15.7.0 (September 2019). It should be noted that other types of Public Warning Systems include European Union (EU) Alert and Korean Public Alert System (KPAS). According to the 3GPP specifications for NR as developed so far, ETWS/CMAS warning messages are broadcasted by the gNB (3GPP terminology for an NR base station) via SIBs 6, 7, and 8, after being triggered by a message received from the Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF). The complete signaling flow is shown in Figure 1, which is reproduced from 3GPP TS 23.041, v. 16.2.0 (December 2019).

ETWS/CMAS reception on Multi-SIM devices introduces some challenges, particularly when Multi-SIM devices are based on a single-Rx/single-Tx architecture. Such devices can listen to only one PLMN at a time, so it is possible that the SIB carrying the ETWS/CMAS information, broadcasted by one PLMN, might be missed if the device is currently connected to or monitoring another PLMN.

This situation is not expected to be an issue if both PLMNs are public. ETWS and CMAS information and support is likely to be homogeneous and all public operators in an area are likely to broadcast the same or similar information. In some countries, national regulations may even make sure this is the case. So, regardless of where the multi-SIM device is camped, it will be able to receive the ETWS/CMAS information because they will be sent by both PLMNs.

However, a different case arises when one of the networks is a private PLMN, like an SNPN, a Stand-alone Non-Public Network, as described in 3GPP TS 23.501, v 16.3.0 (December 2019). In such private networks it may not be necessary or mandatory to have the same (or even any) ETWS/CMAS support, and systems may not even have or be connected to any cell broadcast service. For example, if a multi-SIM device is camped in a private network, an NPN, and the other network is a public network, it would be necessary, in a similar way as for pages, to be sure that UE can receive public-warning-system- related information from the public network. If the Multi-SIM device is only performing Idle-mode RAN mobility procedures (such as cell reselection procedures) towards the private PLMN, it might miss the ETWS/CMAS warning messages sent by the other, public, PLMN.

The solutions described herein to these problems are applicable when a multi-SIM UE, connected to a private PLMN, can be reached by the other public PLMN by means of an indication which is send from the public PLMN to the UE via the private PLMN. For example, this may be achieved by the public PLMN sending a NAS NOTIFICATION message via the Non-3GPP Interworking function, (N3IWF) node in the private PLMN and onwards towards the UE.

According to some of the techniques described in further detail below:

• When the UE connects to (private) PLMN1, it performs a "mobility registration" and indicates to (public) PLMN2 whether UE wants to have ETWS/CMAS information sent through N3IWF and PLMN1. • UE tells AMF in PLMN2 how it wants to receive ETWS/CMAS: a. By being notified that ETWS/CMAS is broadcasted in PLMN2 (Alt.l); b. By getting dedicated ETWS/CMAS warning information in NAS NOTIFICATION (Alt.2); c. Receiving no information at all.

It would, for example, make sense for a smartphone type of device that is connected to a private network, if the private network does not itself communicate any public warnings, to signal to the public PLMN it is also registered to, to forward either a notification that other PLMN is broadcasting (a) or the message itself (b). For other types of UEs, for example UEs that don't have as extensive an MMI as a smartphone, configuring the system such that no notifications are sent from the public network (c) might make sense.

In another aspect of the presently disclosed techniques, there is an indication of support for PWS added to broadcast information. This is to allow UEs that are multi-SIM UEs to know whether the network they are registering to actually supports PWS.

In another aspect of the presently disclosed techniques, if both PLMNs support cell broadcast but may not necessarily broadcast the same information, such situations may mean that multi-SIM UEs can, despite both networks' support of some broadcast information, still request broadcast notifications from other networks. Such situations may occur, for example, if a private network uses its broadcast services for something that is related to just the private network, i.e., for something other than a public warning. Maybe it is used to spread information on a company network, for example. If a UE is registered to such a network, but it is only following mobility procedures for the public networks RAN, it would benefit from notifications being sent from the private network to the public network and on to the UE.

Advantages of the disclosed techniques include, among other things, the providing of a means for the UE to receive ETWS/CMAS warning messages when connected to a private network that does not support an ETWS/CMAS warning system.

A first technique may be regarded as a network-based approach to receiving warning messages from one network while in another network. This is based on a network receiving information regarding if and what information the UE wants to receive from the network while the UE is in the other network.

An example of this is shown in Figure 2, which shows delivery of ETWS/CMAS warning information from a public PLMN (PLMN2 in the figure) to a multi-SIM UE connected to a private network (PLMN1 in the figure). As seen in the figure, the UE in this example scenario is initially connected to the public wireless communication network, PLMN2. At some point, the UE determines that it is going to connect to the private wireless communication network, PLMN1. This may be a private LTE or NR network, for example. Before connecting to the private wireless communication network, the UE performs the SIB acquisition procedure, where the SIB1 broadcast by the private wireless communication network is acquired. In some embodiments, this SIB1 may include a new information element (IE) specifying whether the PLMN supports the ETWS/CMAS warning information delivery. This is shown in Figure 2, and allows the multi- SIM UE to know whether the network it is registering to is supporting PWS.

When the UE connects to a private network (PLMN1) from public network (PLMN2), as shown in Figure 2, it performs the NAS Registration procedure with a "mobility registration updating" cause. Perhaps depending on the information received in SIB1 (that is, whether PLMN1 supports or not the PWS), the message NAS REGISTRATION REQUEST may include an indication on how the UE wants the ETWS/CMAS warning information to be treated. In some embodiments or instances, the UE might include an indication that the UE simply wants to be notified in the event that ETWS/CMAS information is broadcasted in PLMN2. In some embodiments or instances, the UE might include an indication that the UE wishes to receive any broadcasted ETWS/CMAS information originating in PLMN2 via dedicated messaging sent via PLMN1. In some embodiments or instances, the UE might include an indication that it does not want to receive any ETWS/CMAS information. This might be done, in some instances, by simply not including any indication at all, which would correspond to the legacy implementation of a mobility registration message.

As seen in the example shown in Figure 2, the new indication included in the NAS registration message, if present, is forwarded by the N3IWF-2 in the PLMN2 to the AMF in PLMN2, shown in Figure 2 as AMF-2, where the indication is stored along with an identifier of the UE.

If an event triggering the warning system occurs, the AMF-2 in the public network informs the gNBs in the PLMN2, which will broadcast the ETWS/CMAS information via SIB6/7/8, as specified in 3GPP TS 23.041, v. 16.2.0 (December 2019). Additionally, the AMF-2 sends the NAS NOTIFICATION message to all UEs reachable via the N3IWF-2 that previously forwarded the ETWS/CMAS indication in the NAS REGISTRATION REQUEST. The AMF-2 may identify all the UEs in the warning area based on the "registration area"" (i.e., TAI list) allocated to each UE by PLMN-2 when the UE registered with the PLMN-2.

Perhaps depending on which ETWS/CMAS indication was sent by the UE, the content of the NAS Notification has the following alternatives: • Alternative 1: the NAS NOTIFICATION includes a new cause (e.g., "Warning"). This triggers the UE to leave the PLMN1 and select PLMN2. Then the UE performs initial cell selection, reads SIB1 as broadcast by PLMN2, and then can acquire SIB6/7/8 for ETWS/CMAS warning information.

• Alternative 2: the NAS NOTIFICATION includes new information elements where the AMF2 copies the warning information received by the CBCF/PWS-IWF node. In this way, the UE can stay in PLMN1 and receive the CMAS/ETWS warning information from the other PLMN.

A variant of the above technique may be described as a UE-based approach for a UE to receive warning messages from a first network while in a second network. This approach is based on that the first network provides warning message information (e.g., an indication that there is warning messages provided in the first network) to the UE, via the second network, without having received any wish/preference/indication from the UE. The UE then decides whether the UE wants to receive the warning message from the first network. Receiving the information here may comprise that the UE re selects to the first network and reads system information in the first network.

Thus, in one embodiment the first network indicates information to the UE, via a second network, indicating that there is warning information provided in the first network. The UE can, based on this information determine whether the UE wants to receive the information or not.

If the UE gets a notification that there is warning information in the first network, the UE may determine whether or not the UE prefers to receive the information based on whether the UE can receive the information from the second network. If, for example, the second network provides warning messages, then the UE can receive the same or similar information from the second network and there may be no need for the UE to also receive it from the first network.

The UE may consider the capabilities of the UE when determining whether to receive the information from the first network. If the UE is not capable of receiving warning messages, the UE may refrain from receiving the warning information. "Capable" here may mean that the UE has all capabilities required to receive the information. For example, the ETWS-feature (as defined in 3GPP TS 38.331, v. 15.7.0 (September 2019)) may not be supported by all UEs, e.g., due to a limitation in the RRC layer of the UEs, and those UEs may refrain from receiving ETWS-warning information. While if the UE is capable to receive the warning information, the UE may receive the warning information.

The UE may consider whether the UE is able to present the warning information to the user. For example, as described above, there may be devices (such as Machine-Type Communication devices) which do not have a MMI or any other means to present warning messages to the user, hence it may not be meaningful for the UE to receive the warning information, in which case the UE may refrain from doing so. On the other hand, if the UE is able to present the warning information, the UE may receive the warning information.

In some embodiments, a first network provides area-information associated with the warning message to the UE when indicating to the UE (via the second network) that there is a warning message broadcasted in the first network. For example, this information may be provided together with an indication that there is a warning message provided in the first network. The UE may use this area- information when determining whether to receive the information. For example, if the UE determines itself to be within the area for which the warning message is applicable, the UE may start receiving the information from the first network, while otherwise, the UE may refrain from receiving the information.

In the event the first network provides the warning message directly to the UE while the UE is in the second network, the first network may also provide the area information associated with the warning message. The UE can then use this information to determine whether to present the warning message to the user, e.g., only presenting the information to the user if the UE is within the area.

In some situations, the UE may register in a PLMN1 that supports PWS broadcast, switch to the RAN of another network, e.g., SNPN2 / or PLMN2 that does not support PWS broadcast and then, the solution outlined according to the invention may be applied, as described above.

However, as discussed above, warning information is usually location/area dependent. Thus, it may be that PLMN1, the system that issues the PWS broadcast and also forwards to UE in SNPN2, broadcasts information that is irrelevant for the UE since it has left the area of coverage of PLMN1. (PLMN1 and SNPN2 may not have the same coverage areas.) This is a consequence that arises from a UE asking to get PWS information from a system that does not know the UE's location. The UE typically does not execute any mobility procedures in the RAN of PLMN1 (RANI) if messages/communication with PLMN1 goes through N3IWF in the manner described above.

According to some embodiments of the presently disclosed techniques, unnecessary PWS information may be avoided by connecting the forwarding of the broadcast, or indications thereof from PLMN1, with the position the UE had when it first registered to PLMN1, through RANI, connected to PLMN1. At that point, the UE was assigned a CN Registration Area, represented by a list of Tracking Areas (TAI-list). Even though PLMN1 receives notification that UE has left PLMNls RANI and is now reachable through N3IWF, the AMF1 in PLMN1 may still keep the CN Registration Area assigned in the UE Context in these embodiments, and base any PWS forwarding on this area. If a broadcast occurs in that area, then the message itself or an indication of that there is a PWS is also forwarded to the UE.

Further improvements of such an approach can be that a UE, when it is idle and in discontinuous reception mode in SNPN2, can switch to see if it can find a RAN for PLMN1. If it does find a RAN it could send a location update to PLMN1 via SNPN2 and via N3IWF. This would mean that the UE sometimes can update the AMF on a geographical location, expressed as a tracking area code or cell ID in PLMN1, without actually accessing RANI. If such updates occur, the AMF1 in PLMN1 can then update the position and calculate a new CN Registration area and a new TAI list that it may or may not forward to the UE over the N3IWF. Irrespective of which, the AMF1 can use this new updated CN Registration area to determine what PWS to forward for the UE to the other system.

With the above detailed examples in mind, it should be appreciated that Figure 3 illustrates an example method for improving delivery of messages to a wireless device, as implemented in the wireless device. The method comprises, as shown at block 310, the step of determining to connect to a first wireless communication network. As shown at block 320, the wireless device, responsive to this determining, sends, to a node in a second wireless communication network, an indication of whether messages of at least a first type are to be sent to the wireless device by the second wireless communication network via the first wireless communication network.

In some embodiments, the first wireless communication network is a private wireless communication network and the second wireless communication network is a Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN). In some embodiments, the first type of message is public warning systems (PWS) messages. In some embodiments, the wireless device is a multi-SIM device capable of receiving transmissions from only one wireless communication network at a time.

In some embodiments, the indication indicates one of the following: that the wireless device is to be notified that a message of the first type is being broadcast in the second wireless communication network, responsive to such a broadcast; that the wireless device is to be provided with the contents of the message, via the first wireless communication network; and that the wireless device is to be provided with no information regarding the messages of at least the first type. In some embodiments, the indication is sent in or in connection with a mobility registration performed towards the second wireless communication network.

In some embodiments, the determining to connect to the first wireless communication network is performed while registered with the second wireless communication network. In some embodiments, the wireless device first receives, from the first wireless communication network, a signal indicating whether the first wireless communication network supports broadcast of messages of the first type. This is shown in block 315 of Figure 3, which is illustrated with a dashed outline to indicate that it may not appear in all embodiments or instances of the illustrated method. In these embodiments, sending the indication of whether messages of at least the first type are to be sent to the wireless device by the second wireless communication network depends on this signal. Thus, for example, if the signal indicates that the first wireless communication network does not support broadcast of messages of the first type, then the indication sent by the wireless device may indicate that the UE wishes to receive notifications of messages of the first type being broadcast in the second network, or copies of the contents of these messages.

In some embodiments/instances, the method further comprises receiving, via the first wireless communication network, contents of a message of the first type originating in the second wireless communication network. This is shown at block 330. In other embodiments/instances, the method may instead comprise receiving, via the first wireless communication network, a notification of a message of the first type being broadcast in the second wireless communication network. This is shown at block 340. In these embodiments/instances, the method may comprise performing cell selection of a cell in the second wireless communication network, responsive to this notification, and receiving the message of the first type. This is shown at block 350.

Figure 4 illustrates another example method for improving delivery of messages to a wireless device registered to a first wireless communication network. This method includes, as shown at block 420, the step of receiving a notification of a message being broadcast in a second wireless communication network or contents of a message being broadcast in the second wireless communication network. As shown at block 430, the method continues with forwarding the notification or the contents to the wireless device, via the first wireless communication network.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises receiving, from the second wireless network, an identification of the wireless device in or in association with the notification or contents.

In some embodiments, the receiving and forwarding illustrated at blocks 420 and 430 are performed by an interworking function (IWF) node in the second wireless communication network and user plane of the first wireless communication network, where the IWF node is configured to receive the notification or the contents from an access management function (AMF) node in the second wireless communication network. In some embodiments, the first wireless communication network is a private wireless communication network and the second wireless communication network is a Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN). In some embodiments, the message is a public warning system (PWS) message.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises broadcasting a signal indicating whether the first wireless communication network supports broadcast of messages of at least a type corresponding to that of the message. This step may be done by one or more nodes in the first network, for example.

In some embodiments, the method may further comprise receiving, from the wireless device, an indication of whether messages of at least a first type are to be sent to the wireless device by the second wireless communication network via the first wireless communication network. This is shown at block 410 of Figure 4. In some embodiments, the indication indicates one of the following: that the wireless device is to be notified that a message of the first type is being broadcast in the second wireless communication network, responsive to such a broadcast; that the wireless device is to be provided with the contents of the message, via the first wireless communication network; and that the wireless device is to be provided with no information regarding the messages of at least the first type. This indication may be received in or in connection with a mobility registration performed towards the second wireless communication network, for example.

In some embodiments or instances, the method further comprises sending to the wireless device, via the first wireless communication network, contents of a message of the first type originating in the second wireless communication network, this sending being in accordance with the received indication. This is shown at block 440. In other embodiments or instances, the method further comprises sending to the wireless device, via the first wireless communication network, a notification of a message of the first type being broadcast in the second wireless communication network, this sending being in accordance with the received indication. This is shown at block 450.

Figure 5 illustrates another example of a method, in a wireless device, for improving delivery of messages to the wireless device. This example method comprises, as shown at block 510, the wireless device receiving, via the first wireless communication network, a notification of a message of a first type being broadcast in a second wireless communication network. In some embodiments, this notification may be unsolicited, i.e., not preceded by the wireless device sending an indication that it wishes to receives this notification. The method further comprises determining whether to take action to receive said message, responsive to said notification, as shown at block 520. This determining may be based on one or more capabilities of the wireless device, for example.

In some embodiment, the wireless device decides to take action to receive the message, and thus performs cell selection of a cell in the second wireless communication network and receives the message of the first type. This is shown at block 530.

As in the other methods discussed above, in some embodiments, the wireless device is a multi- SIM device capable of receiving transmissions from only one wireless communication network at a time. In some embodiments, the first wireless communication network is a private wireless communication network and the second wireless communication network is a Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN). In some embodiments, the first type of message is public warning systems (PWS) messages.

Figure 6 illustrates a diagram of an example wireless device, illustrated as UE 50, configured to carry out one or more of the disclosed techniques, according to some embodiments. UE 50 may be considered to represent any wireless devices or terminals that may operate in a network, such as a UE in a cellular network. Other examples may include a communication device, target device, device to device (D2D) UE, machine type UE or UE capable of machine to machine communication (M2M), a sensor equipped with UE, PDA (personal digital assistant), tablet, IPAD tablet, mobile terminal, smart phone, laptop embedded equipped (LEE), laptop mounted equipment (LME), USB dongles, Customer Premises Equipment (CPE), etc.

UE 50 is configured to communicate with a network node or base station in a wide-area cellular network via antennas 54 and transceiver circuitry 56. Transceiver circuitry 56 may include transmitter circuits, receiver circuits, and associated control circuits that are collectively configured to transmit and receive signals according to a radio access technology, for the purposes of using cellular communication services. The radio access technology can be NR and/or LTE for the purposes of this discussion.

UE 50 also includes one or more processing circuits 52 that are operatively associated with the radio transceiver circuitry 56. Processing circuitry 52 comprises one or more digital processing circuits, e.g., one or more microprocessors, microcontrollers, DSPs, FPGAs, CPLDs, ASICs, or any mix thereof. More generally, processing circuitry 52 may comprise fixed circuitry, or programmable circuitry that is specially adapted via the execution of program instructions implementing the functionality taught herein, or may comprise some mix of fixed and programmed circuitry. Processing circuitry 52 may be multi-core. UE 50 may be a multi-SIM UE, capable of registering in multiple networks, e.g., using multiple physical SIMs or multiple logical SIMs.

Processing circuitry 52 also includes a memory 64. Memory 64, in some embodiments, stores one or more computer programs 66 and, optionally, configuration data 68. Memory 64 provides non- transitory storage for computer program 66 and it may comprise one or more types of computer- readable media, such as disk storage, solid-state memory storage, or any mix thereof. By way of non limiting example, memory 64 comprises any one or more of SRAM, DRAM, EEPROM, and FLASH memory, which may be in processing circuitry 52 and/or separate from processing circuitry 52. Memory 64 may also store any configuration data 68 used by UE 50. Processing circuitry 52 may be configured, e.g., through the use of appropriate program code stored in memory 64, to carry out one or more of the methods and/or signaling processes detailed herein.

Processing circuitry 52 of the UE 50 is configured, according to some embodiments, to perform one or more of the techniques described herein for improving delivery of messages to the UE, such as either of the methods illustrated in Figures 3 and 5. Processing circuitry 52 may thus be configured to determine to connect to a first wireless communication network and, responsive to this determination, send to a node in a second wireless communication network an indication of whether messages of at least a first type are to be sent to the wireless device by the second wireless communication network via the first wireless communication network. In some embodiments, processing circuitry may be configured to receive, via the first wireless communication network, a notification of a message of a first type being broadcast in a second wireless communication network, and determine whether to take action to receive said message, responsive to said notification. In some embodiments, for example, the wireless device determines to take action to receive said message and then performs cell selection of a cell in the second wireless communication network and receives the message of the first type.

Figure 6 illustrates a network node 30 configured to carry out all or part of one or more of the techniques described above as being performed by one or more network nodes. Network node 30 may be a N3IWF, for example.

Network node 30 includes communication interface circuitry 38 that includes circuitry for communicating with other nodes in the core network, radio nodes, and/or other types of nodes in the network for the purposes of providing data and/or cellular communication services.

Network node 30 also includes one or more processing circuits 32 that are operatively associated with the communication interface circuitry 38. Processing circuitry 32 comprises one or more digital processors 42, e.g., one or more microprocessors, microcontrollers, Digital Signal Processors (DSPs), Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), Complex Programmable Logic Devices (CPLDs), Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), or any mix thereof. More generally, processing circuitry 32 may comprise fixed circuitry, or programmable circuitry that is specially configured via the execution of program instructions implementing the functionality taught herein, or some mix of fixed and programmed circuitry. Processor 42 may be multi-core, i.e., having two or more processor cores utilized for enhanced performance, reduced power consumption, and more efficient simultaneous processing of multiple tasks.

Processing circuitry 32 also includes a memory 44. Memory 44, in some embodiments, stores one or more computer programs 46 and, optionally, configuration data 48. Memory 44 provides non- transitory storage for the computer program 46 and it may comprise one or more types of computer- readable media, such as disk storage, solid-state memory storage, or any mix thereof. Here, "non- transitory" means permanent, semi-permanent, or at least temporarily persistent storage and encompasses both long-term storage in non-volatile memory and storage in working memory, e.g., for program execution. By way of non-limiting example, memory 44 comprises any one or more of SRAM, DRAM, EEPROM, and FLASH memory, which may be in processing circuitry 32 and/or separate from processing circuitry 32. Memory 44 may also store any configuration data 48 used by the network access node 30. Processing circuitry 32 may be configured, e.g., through the use of appropriate program code stored in memory 44, to carry out all or part of one or more of the methods and/or signaling processes detailed above, such as the method illustrated in Figure 4.

Processing circuitry 32 of the network node 30 is thus configured, according to some embodiments, to receive a notification of a message being broadcast in the second wireless communication network or contents of a message being broadcast in the second wireless communication network. Processing circuitry 32 is further configured to forward the notification or the contents to the wireless device, via the first wireless communication network.

Many variations and modifications can be made to the embodiments without substantially departing from the principles of the present inventive concepts. All such variations and modifications are intended to be included herein within the scope of present inventive concepts. Accordingly, the above disclosed subject matter is to be considered illustrative, and not restrictive, and the examples of embodiments are intended to cover all such modifications, enhancements, and other embodiments, which fall within the spirit and scope of present inventive concepts. Thus, to the maximum extent allowed by law, the scope of present inventive concepts is to be determined by the broadest permissible interpretation of the present disclosure including the examples of embodiments and their equivalents, and shall not be restricted or limited by the foregoing detailed description.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. A method, in a wireless device, for improving delivery of messages to the wireless device, the method comprising: determining (310) to connect to a first wireless communication network; and, responsive to said determining, sending (320), to a node in a second wireless communication network, an indication of whether messages of at least a first type are to be sent to the wireless device by the second wireless communication network via the first wireless communication network.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first wireless communication network is a private wireless communication network and the second wireless communication network is a Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN).

3. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein the first type of message is public warning systems (PWS) messages.

4. The method of any of claims 1-3, wherein the indication indicates one of the following: that the wireless device is to be notified that a message of the first type is being broadcast in the second wireless communication network, responsive to such a broadcast; that the wireless device is to be provided with the contents of the message, via the first wireless communication network; and that the wireless device is to be provided with no information regarding the messages of at least the first type.

5. The method of any of claims 1-4, wherein the method comprises sending the indication in or in connection with a mobility registration performed towards the second wireless communication network.

6. The method of any of claims 1-5, wherein said determining to connect to the first wireless communication network is performed while registered with the second wireless communication network.

7. The method of any of claims 1-6, wherein the method comprises receiving (315), from the first wireless communication network, a signal indicating whether the first wireless communication network supports broadcast of messages of the first type, and wherein said sending the indication of whether messages of at least the first type are to be sent to the wireless device by the second wireless communication network depends on this signal.

8. The method of any of claims 1-7, further comprising receiving (330), via the first wireless communication network, contents of a message of the first type originating in the second wireless communication network.

9. The method of any of claims 1-7, further comprising: receiving (340), via the first wireless communication network, a notification of a message of the first type being broadcast in the second wireless communication network; responsive to said notification, performing (350) cell selection of a cell in the second wireless communication network and receiving the message of the first type.

10. The method of any of claims 1-9, wherein the wireless device is a multi-SIM device capable of receiving transmissions from only one wireless communication network at a time.

11. A method, in one or more network nodes, for improving delivery of messages to a wireless device registered to a first wireless communication network, the method comprising: receiving (420) a notification of a message being broadcast in a second wireless communication network or contents of a message being broadcast in the second wireless communication network; and forwarding (430) the notification or the contents to the wireless device, via the first wireless communication network.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the method further comprises receiving, from the second wireless network, an identification of the wireless device in or in association with the notification or contents.

13. The method of claim 11 or 12, wherein said receiving and said forwarding are performed by an interworking function (IWF) node in the second wireless communication network and user plane of the first wireless communication network, the IWF node being configured to receive the notification or the contents from an access management function (AMF) node in the second wireless communication network.

14. The method of any of claims 11-13, wherein the first wireless communication network is a private wireless communication network and the second wireless communication network is a Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN).

15. The method of any of claims 11-14, wherein the message is a public warning system (PWS) message.

16. The method of any of claims 11-15, wherein the method further comprises broadcasting a signal indicating whether the first wireless communication network supports broadcast of messages of at least a type corresponding to that of the message.

17. The method of any of claims 11-15, further comprising: receiving (410), from the wireless device, an indication of whether messages of at least a first type are to be sent to the wireless device by the second wireless communication network via the first wireless communication network.

18. The method claim 17, wherein the indication indicates one of the following: that the wireless device is to be notified that a message of the first type is being broadcast in the second wireless communication network, responsive to such a broadcast; that the wireless device is to be provided with the contents of the message, via the first wireless communication network; and that the wireless device is to be provided with no information regarding the messages of at least the first type.

19. The method of any of claims 17-18, wherein the indication is received in or in connection with a mobility registration performed towards the second wireless communication network.

20. The method of any of claims 17-19, further comprising sending (440) to the wireless device, via the first wireless communication network, contents of a message of the first type originating in the second wireless communication network, said sending being in accordance with the received indication.

21. The method of any of claims 17-19, further comprising sending (450) to the wireless device, via the first wireless communication network, a notification of a message of the first type being broadcast in the second wireless communication network, said sending being in accordance with the received indication.

22. A method, in a wireless device, for improving delivery of messages to the wireless device, the method comprising: receiving (510), via the first wireless communication network, a notification of a message of a first type being broadcast in a second wireless communication network; determining (520) to take action to receive said message, responsive to said notification; and performing (530) cell selection of a cell in the second wireless communication network and receiving the message of the first type.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the wireless device is a multi-SIM device capable of receiving transmissions from only one wireless communication network at a time.

24. The method of claim 22 or 23, wherein the first wireless communication network is a private wireless communication network and the second wireless communication network is a Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN).

25. The method of any of claims 22-24, wherein the first type of message is public warning systems (PWS) messages.

26. The method of any of claims 22-25, wherein said determining (520) is based on one or more capabilities of the wireless device.

27. A wireless device (50) adapted to perform the methods of any one of claims 1-10 and 22-26.

28. A wireless device (50) comprising transceiver circuitry (56) and processing circuitry (52) operatively associated with the transceiver circuitry (56) and configured to perform the methods of any one of claims 1-10 and 22-26.

29. A network node (30) adapted to perform the method of any one of claims 11-21.

30. A network node (30) comprising communications interface circuitry (38) and processing circuitry (32) operatively associated with the communications interface circuitry and configured to perform the methods of any one of claims 11-21.

31. A computer program (46, 66) comprising instructions that, when executed on at least one processing circuit (32, 52), cause the at least one processing circuit (32, 52) to carry out the method according to any one of claims 1-26.

32. A carrier (44, 64) containing the computer program (46, 66) of claim 32, wherein the carrier (44, 64) is one of an electronic signal, optical signal, radio signal, or computer-readable storage medium.